Vacuum spark gap



Feb. 3. 1 925.

1,525,350 H. ZUCKERMAN VACUUM SPARK GAP Filed Dec. 4, 1920 ATTORNEY wn'usss;

Patented Feb. 3, 1925.

I I Y 1,525,350-

HARRY ZUCKERMAN,

or-NEW YORK, N. Y.

VACUUM SPARK GAP.

Application filed. December 4, 1920. Serial No. 428,327.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I. HARRY ZUCKERMAN. a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county of New York, and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Vacuum Spark Gaps, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to devices used in connection with wireless apparatuses for transmitting radiant energy.

More particularly the invention relates to vacuum spark gaps.

Some of the objects of the present invention are: to make provision for more scientifically maintaining the adjustment of spark gap; to more thoroughly provide for the installation of the device of the character mentioned as a part of a wireless system or apparatus. With these and other objects in view the invention resides in the particular provision, combination, and rela tive arrangement of parts, hereinafter more fully described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure 1 is a central vertical sectional view of the device of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a. transverse sectional view taken on the line 2-2, Figure 1. V

Figure 3 is a detail fragmentary side elevation.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing for the details of construction of the device of the present invention it will be manifest that, it consists of an outer. glass tube or bulb 10 which is supported by a base 11 of insulating material such as sand, glue and tar in combination. A metallic ring or annular member 12 surrounds the base 11. The bulb 10 is exhausted to the proper degree, and is efl'ectively sealed in its relation to the base 11 to maintain a vacuum chamber 13 within the said bulb 10. Electrodes 14-14 extend through the base 11 and into the chamber 13. A piece of mica 15 is arranged below the base 11 and serves to hold the contact members 1616 in place as connected to the lower ends of the electrodes 1414. The contact members 1616 are soldered or otherwise connected to the electrodes as at 17 The mica 15 is held in place by turning the end of the member 12 inwardly. The end of the member extends beyond the face of the piece of mica. Insulation 18 such as sand, glue and tar in combination is poured over the mica and is confined by the inturned end of the member 12.

When the insulating material 18 hardens the mica will be held securely in place. An inner tube 19 surrounds the vertical portions 20 of the electrodes. A piece of mica 21 closes the tube 19. The portions 20 of the electrodes extend through the piece of mica 21 which properly holds the electrodes 14-14 in place and also serves as an insulator. The vertical portions 20 extend up and outside'of the tube 19 and join the angularly disposed portions including the horizontally disposed portions 22-22. Each of the portions 22 carries a member 24 with the proper degree of conductivity. Each member 24 has cooling flanges 25. T he members 24 are each provided with a screw threaded bore. The ends of each of the portions 22 is screw threaded adapting each to'receive one of the members 24. The members are normally spaced to provide a spark gap 25 A member 26 is secured to the tube 19. One part of the member 26, the part 27, is in the nature of a support for the part 28 of mica. The part 27 is highly nickel plated and is formed to define a point 29 which extends in to the interior of the tube 19; and a bifurcated part 30 which receives the lower end of thepart 28 which is held in securement therewith by a screw 31. The member 26 is in reality a spark quencher yet its chief function is to maintain the members 24 properly spaced at all times especially when the device is in operation.

In order to facilitate installation of the spark gap a socket member 32 is used in conjunction therewith. The socket member 32 consists of an annular part 33 which surrounds a part 34 of insulating material such as porcelain. Contacts'3535 are support ed by the part 34. The part 33 has a bayonet slot which receives a lug 36 on the member 12 when the latter is brought within the part 33, and the contacts 1616 and the contacts 35-35 will be brought together to establish electrical connection. The socket member may be connected to a transformer or any other part of any system.

From the foregoing it will be manifest that: the spark gap may be easily replaced; the gap may be properly and evenly spaced at all times; the combination and arrangement of the parts results in a high efliciency device in that it economizes the use of electrical energy in the primary circuit because of low air resistance and the obviation of oxidization of the electrodes,

\Vhat is claimed is:

A device of the character described comprising a base, a glass tube formed thereon and providing a vacuum chamber, an inner tube extending from the base and arranged Within the vacuum chamber, a pair of spaced parallel arranged electrodes extending from the base and passing through the inner tube, substantial U-shaped portions formed on the electrodes and being terminally provided with screw threaded ends arranged in confronting relation, a member threadedly secured to the threaded ends of each ofthe U-shaped members, and an insulating rod arranged between the members to provide for the proper spacing thereof for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I hereby afiiX my signature.

HARRY ZUCKERM 

